Advocacy is the act of pleading for or giving verbal support for a cause

The Advocacy Department serves the residents of the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center by speaking on their behalf in an effort to influence treatment and administration decisions which affect their well being.

The following rights are granted to JIRDC residents at all times:

The right to exercise all civil rights and remedies, i.e. voting, purchasing and selling property.

The right to be treated as an individual with consideration, dignity and respect and to be given privacy during treatment and care of personal needs.

The right to contact and consult with legal counsel, physician or mental retardation professional of his or her choice at his or her expense.

The right to be involved and receive written notice and rationale for transfer to another facility or within the facility five days prior to the transfer.

The right to appropriate treatment as detailed in an individual habilitation and post institutional plan written and implemented no later than 30 days after admission.

The right to be present and actively involved in the formulation of treatment plans and other decisions concerning oneself, and the right to refuse treatment proposed.

The right to be free from harm, mistreatment, abuse, neglect, exploitation and corporal punishment on and off campus.

The right to send and promptly receive unopened mail, have access to writing materials and staff assistance when necessary, and a schedule for collecting and distributing mail and packages.

The right to be informed in writing of rights, responsibilities, and facility rules and any changes or amendments to the rights or rules.

The right to submit grievances and recommend changes in policies and service available.

The right to have access to a client advocate and assistance in exercising rights as a resident and citizen.

The right to not be excluded from programs solely because of inappropriate behavior.

The right to be free from physical and personal restraint, time-out and seclusion.

The right to productive work or other meaningful occupation and be paid for work performed.

The right to a well balanced nutritionally adequate diet.

The right to be free from loss of any meal or portion of such as a means of discipline or for programmatic or other reasons.

The right to be free from unnecessary or excessive medication and not receive medication as a punishment or for discipline.

The right to be free from retribution which is not therapeutic in nature.

The right to receive appropriate medical treatment, to be informed by a physician of his/her health and medical condition, and to documentation if such is medically contraindicated.

The right to be informed of services available and have access to all service delivery areas, i.e. cafeteria, gymnasium, etc.

The right to coeducational programming and experiences.

The right to voluntarily discharge oneself.

The right to have no unauthorized publicity or use or discussion of one's record.

The right to be free from treatment given without informed consent involving aversive stimulation, the use of experimental drugs or research, or non-emergency surgery.

The right to make and receive confidential telephone calls.

The right to receive visitors or refuse visitors at any time.

The right to make visits outside the facility.

The right to be out of doors daily and have access to recreational facilities and equipment several times a week.

The right to keep and use his or her own clothing and personal possessions, i.e. individual toothbrush, hairbrush, comb, deodorant, etc.

The right to communicate and meet under appropriate supervision with persons of his/her choice upon consent of such persons.

The right to participate in religious worship by choice.

The right to have access to keep and spend a reasonable sum of money and to manage his or her financial affairs.

The right to obtain or retain a vehicle driver's license.

The right to individual lockable storage space for private use.

The right to live in an unlocked environment or the least restrictive environment compatible with his or her needs.